Pilot Whose Gun Went Off Back on Job

[Glucose Intolerant]

The Captain should still be on the street. He has no business being back on the job. His incompetence and inability to follow SOP cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

"Lighten up Francis"

Sgt. Hulka

 

[HPDriver]

You're just full of sunshine aren't you?

Yup. From head to toe.

 

[necigrad]

Are they supposed to be holstered at all times? (Barring a highjacking). I wonder why he had it out in the first place?

That's a good question, and one that should NOT be answered on this board. It happened, and you can be pretty damn certain that the FAA and TSA have at least looked into every facet of the incident. I'm not saying they'd actually do anything, but...

 

[ClueByFour]

Absolutely should not have a job.

He screwed up and/or had the firearm out of the holster absent a threat and manage to have a negligent discharge. Goes to judgment. I fault the arbitrator who let the guy back on the property. If I were able to tell, I would not hesitate in walking off any flight where I was aware this gentleman was the PIC.

 

[HPDriver]

HP,

I wouldn't expect anything less from you. He's an East pilot and your West. Your analogy is weak. I know him personally and he's anything but incompetent. He's as professional a pilot, military trained and would trust him with my life. Move on! Bash on something else.

Absolutely nothing to do with east/west.

His lack of good judgement could have caused a world of hurt. He get VERY lucky all that all he did was but a hold in the side of an airplane.

What do you think would have happened to him if he made that kind of stupid and careless mistake while still in the military?

 

[FWAAA]

That's a good question, and one that should NOT be answered on this board. It happened, and you can be pretty damn certain that the FAA and TSA have at least looked into every facet of the incident. I'm not saying they'd actually do anything, but...

The linked story mentions the rule:

Pilots must remove their gun and holster and secure them in a bag before leaving the cockpit, a requirement that is believed to have contributed to the U.S. Airways incident.

These procedures are common knowledge. They were discussed ad nauseum when the pilot's gun went off and he was fired by US last year.

Gotta love US spokeswoman Michelle Mohr who revealed that he'll no longer be armed. THAT was a very stupid thing to reveal.

Careless with a gun. Careless as a PIC? Debatable.

 

[hp_fa]

Careless with a gun. Careless as a PIC? Debatable.

Careless with a gun in a plane?

 

[AWE_SHUCKS]

pathetic

 

[MAAMARCH04]

The Captain should still be on the street. He has no business being back on the job. His incompetence and inability to follow SOP cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

Give me a break!!! We have a CEO who drove drunk several times, yet he's back on the job. I've forgiven DP and have confidence in his ability to lead this airline....I also have confidence in this professional pilot to get me from point A to point B safely. JEEZ!!

 

[lynyrdskynyrd]

If we get too carried away drawing direct correlations between every last thing a person does and his or her ability as pic, we won't have any pilot's left to fly the airplanes anywhere. Welcome back Captain.

 

[cleardirect]

Allow me to be a contrarian. My reasoning has nothing to do with East v. West, but rather judgment.

A pilot's duties require judgment and someone who has shown really bad judgment, especially in the work environment, should not be a pilot. This is the same poor judgment equation that was present in the case of the AWA pilots in Miami and a number of other occurrences elsewhere.

Absent any proof that the gun magically fired itself during descent to CLT I think this guy showed bad judgment in this incident and should not be flying an airplane operating under Part 121.

That is the most important point of the entire debate.

His inability to follow SOP, be it gun safety or company procedures. This guy thought he knew better than the people that set up and run the program. He agreed to play by the rules but failed to follow them.

Now let’s imagine that this same guy does not agree with the way US Airways flies the airplanes. He decides that he knows better than everyone else and makes up his own rules and flies the airplane the way he wants to. Does everyone still feel safe and think that it has nothing to do with his flying skills?

Suppose this pilot decides that following a check list is not for him. Still want to fly a four day trip with the lone pilot on his own agenda?

Not to discuss the details. But check with any qualified person with a knowledge of this model gun and ask about accidental discharge. The only way it goes bang is if the trigger is pulled.

 

[cubfan]

That is the most important point of the entire debate.

His inability to follow SOP, be it gun safety or company procedures. This guy thought he knew better than the people that set up and run the program. He agreed to play by the rules but failed to follow them.

Now let’s imagine that this same guy does not agree with the way US Airways flies the airplanes. He decides that he knows better than everyone else and makes up his own rules and flies the airplane the way he wants to. Does everyone still feel safe and think that it has nothing to do with his flying skills?

Suppose this pilot decides that following a check list is not for him. Still want to fly a four day trip with the lone pilot on his own agenda?

Not to discuss the details. But check with any qualified person with a knowledge of this model gun and ask about accidental discharge. The only way it goes bang is if the trigger is pulled.

not to excuse his performance that day, but I have spoken to others in the program, the design of the holster is faulty, accidental discharge has happened before, I believe thats what saved him.

 

[LD3]

Kudos to his fellow pilots that stood by him and help the family out financially...

 

[Pi brat]

Well it didn't take long for this to go down hill like most threads on here. Let those without sin cast the first stone.

Why not close this?

 

[Glucose Intolerant]

Well it didn't take long for this to go down hill like most threads on here. Let those without sin cast the first stone.

Why not close this?

Agreed.....